We have recently started an English speaking podcast all about Japanese rugby. In each episode, we round up all the latest news and have a special feature or interview with people connected to rugby in Japan. Our goal is to raise awareness and promote Japanese rugby to a worldwide audience, as we lead up to the World Cup in 2019.

In episode one, we introduce Japanese rugby to our listeners. In episode two, we focus on the history of Japanese rugby with Mike Galbraith. In episode 3, we learn more about rugby in Kyushu with The Laird. In episode 4, we speak to former Honda and Mitsubishi coach, Keith Davies. In our latest episode (5), we talk to Kyodo news journalist, Rich Freeman, about his experiences at last year's World Cup.

Yes, we talk about whatever tournaments are going on at the time, Top League, Super Rugby, Sevens, Tens, Test matches. We usually spend the first 20 mins rounding up games and weekly news and then go into our feature. I hope you like it...

I listened to the 5th episode. Good stuff. I was interesting how the Japanese guy thought having players aged 18-22 play in the university championship was a good idea only for the other guy to challenge him and change his mind a little later.Freeman was absolutely correct that that's a crucial period in a player's development and they should get to spend it with the best coaches, team mates and opponents as possible. Anyway, how often do you make them?

We make an episode once a week. For anyone new to Japanese rugby, I would recommend starting from episode one, as the first couple of episodes gives a long intro into the tournaments and history. I'll post new episodes on this forum and hope people enjoy listening to them...

thatrugbyguy wrote:Are there any more T2 rugby podcasts going around? Maybe an entire podcast network could be started.

In the US we have

Ruggamatrix Podcast: Alex Goff, who writes mostly about youth, college and national teams, does a podcast every so often. It doesn't have a dedicated website to my knowledge so it just gets posted to his website Goffrugbyreport.com.

A great place to check out the matches are on Rich Freeman's website: http://rugbynewsjapan.com/videos/ Usually, the latest round of games are uploaded midweek, so round 9 obviously aren't there yet. Also, you might want to check if https://www.dazn.com/en-JP/home is available in your country, as it shows all the Top League matches live or on demand for about $20 a month.

EPISODE 9 OUT NOW! We take a look at the Wales match and preview the final game against Fiji. In our feature today, we talk to the former Japan international Shotaro Onishi, the Kyodo news journalist Rich Freeman, and The Laird of Kita-Kyushu, Ian Ruxton, about the pros and cons of the after school club activity system which is known as Bukatsu. We look at how this Japanese approach to extra-curricular activities impacts on rugby and the rest of society. Listen on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-260271034/9 ... ian-ruxton or i-tunes: https://itunes.apple.com/jp/podcast/jru ... ?l=en&mt=2